AU. vampires have enslaved humans. Edward comes to the Center to get his first human and finds Bella, immune to his mind reading and rebellious. He takes her, planning to learn more about her strange behavior. Full Summery inside. ExB JxA COMPLETE

The wind blew and ruffled Edward's
hair. He stood alone in the back yard at the memorial in the center
of the garden. The fountain had been Bella's idea. Her sister loved
the sound of the fountains at the Cullen mansion. Since Edward was in
no position to deny her anything, he had one built. He looked at the
stone face of his brother and felt the same sadness. Since learning
that his brother had been murdered Edward felt a new hatred towards
his father. That's why they felt it fitting for a stone carving of
the only woman he ever loved to be safe in his arms forever. Edward
wished he could do more but he was out of ideas. He had done his best
to do things as his brother would have wished but the realization
came down that he was only trying to fill the void that the new
knowledge had brought him.

But peace filled his heart again when
he heard the chime of laughter around him. He turned and smiled. The
mansion he called home seemed to glitter in the sunlight. Through the
broad windows he could see Bella on the third floor through the lacy
curtains folding clothes and putting them neatly away. He could see
Carlisle on the first floor stealing a kiss from Esme as she fixed
Anna's hair. Behind him he could hear mischievous giggles and
pretended to ignore them.

"Got him!"

Edward laughed as two bodies crashed
into him, one on his shoulders and the other around his leg. He bent
down and picked up the little boy and held him while the other held
onto the top of his head.

"Dad how long are you going to
stay?" the blonde in his arms asked.

"How long do you want me to stay?"
Edward asked.

"Until the moon turns purple!"
The boy on his head chirped. Edward laughed and looked up.

"Well that will be a very long
time."

The boy in his arms beamed up at him
and he kissed his forehead. The twins laughed and Edward joined them.
They were delightful boys, even if they did get into more than their
fair share of trouble. Then again, Edward reasoned, his second born
had been way too calm and quiet. The boys merely used up her share.
All the same, life was definitely more interesting when Carlisle the
eighteenth (who would rather be called Charlie) and Jasper learned
how to walk and talk.

Blonde and slight, both boys reminded
Edward of his adopted brother. Being named after his uncle seemed to
bring something into Jasper when he was born. Their birth had been
difficult on their mother but she survived (even though Edward was so
afraid she wouldn't). However Edward and his bride decided that they
were definitely the last of their children. The past eight years had
been all the more delightful, even if it did mean awkward conferences
with teachers and scrubbing hand prints off of walls.

Jasper jumped off of Edward's shoulders
and landed less than gracefully on the cement. Charlie laughed at him
and his brother replied with a scowl.

"I'll be up to check your work in
a few hours," he said as he put them down. "Get going now,"
he added patting them both on the backs. They boys ran off, pushing
each other to gain a lead in what had now become a race to their
room.

Edward laughed and gasped when he felt
two small hands on his eyes. "Guess who."

"My fair maiden?" he
murmured, taking the hands and twirling them so Bella was in front of
him. She smiled at him and threaded her fingers through his.

"I saw you watching me," she
sighed tilting her head and smiling slightly.

"I was indeed watching you,"
Edward replied, pulling his hands free and curling them around her
waist. "I quite enjoyed what I saw."

"Where are the kids?" Bella
asked, slipping her arms around his neck.

"Well, the boys are heading up to
do homework, Alice is resting and Andi is in her room reading as
usual."

"So tell me," Bella whispered
reaching up to kiss his cheek, "does my lord have time to play?"

"Anything my lady requests,"
Edward whispered before he kissed her.

---

Carlisle didn't know when he had first
decided that he was going to change Esme. Nor did he know what she
was going to say when he brought it up. After all asking one to
change their species isn't exactly an easy subject. He was actually
pretty sure that if Bella had a choice she probably would have opted
to stay human. But she was dying and Edward had no idea that his
blood would actually change her permanently.

It had been the most difficult
discussion they had ever had but in the end Esme agreed. After
becoming a vampire, Carlisle wasted no time in marrying her and
putting his baby in her. That was the best part. Esme legally adopted
Anna as her own child and Carrie became a distant fuzzy memory to all
three of them. They had moved into the massive three story mansion
with his brother when Bella went through her pregnancy with the twins
and had difficulties. It wasn't that big of a move. They all
practically lived together anyway.

Their life was perfect. Anna had grown
into a beautiful young woman. She was so beautiful it broke
Carlisle's heart. She and Alice were chattering away in the corner of
the living room (too quiet for him to hear which bothered him).
Growing up together brought Anna and Alice so close they were like
sisters. There wasn't anything they didn't tell each other. The girls
were sitting on the love seat with their legs tucked under them and
their hands moving at the speed of light as they talked. He watched
Anna toss some of her golden hair over her shoulder. She wore a
powder blue sweater with her college logo on it that reminded
Carlisle that his eldest daughter was grown and going. Alice had
grown into a beautiful young woman as well. She looked so much like
her mother. Her light brown hair was pulled back from her face and
her dark eyes sparkled.

Carlisle smiled as his lap was occupied
by a chestnut haired boy. His son, Cody, snuggled up and looked up at
him.

"Hi dad," he said.

"Hey sport," Carlisle said
ruffling his hair. Esme walked in with Bella. The two vampire women
observed the room quickly and instantly assessed who was missing and
the appropriate punishments for being tardy.

"Charlie where is your brother?"
Bella asked.

"Here mom," Jasper said
walking in. "Andi keeps trying to scare me!"

"Do not. Dweeb."

"Andrea be nice to your brother,"
Bella scolded.

"He keeps going in my room!"
Andi defended angrily folding her arms.

"Jasper..."

"Mom I only go into her room
because I'm afraid for her safety," Jasper said, straitening up
and trying to look like Edward does when he works. Charlie was at his
side in an instant to back him up. Bella had to admit she loved the
loyalty.

"And why is that?"

"Because there are demons in her
room and as her brother it is my duty to keep my sister safe from
harm."

"He's right," Charlie added,
"they are attracted to her satanic music and they try to darken
her soul!"

"I let you get away with ignoring
your first name you don't get both."

"Dad!"

"Listen to your mother,"
Edward said, reading the paper.

"Thank you dear," Bella
grumbled. She ushered the boys to the sofa and Andi sat on the floor
leaning against the wall. She folded her arms and grumbled.

Edward stood up and took the center of
the room. He looked grimly at the bright faces of his family. "I
have updates on the war with Caius."

Bella instinctively put her arm around
her boys and pulled them closer. A year ago Caius started war again.
The war seemed to be dragging on and on. Edward didn't have to serve
as he didn't have an heir. The war was predicted to be over soon but
there was little progress. The family listened intently as he updated
them on what had been taken and what they had lost.

"I got a letter from Sam
yesterday," Alice said happily, "he said they should be
pulling out soon and taking the palace."

Edward looked at his daughter. She
pulled her knees up to her chest and rested her chin on them. He saw
her soldier in her mind. They were sitting on the porch swing
together the day before he left. He finished and everyone left to
their activities. Anna and Alice were talking about going for a walk.
They got up to leave but Edward stopped his eldest.

"Alice can I have a moment with
you?" he asked.

"Sure," Alice said with a
shrug. Edward put his arm around her and led her down the hall. Bella
was walking with her and she began to feel nervous. Both of her
parents were involved this time. She turned into Edward's study.
Edward walked over and sat on the edge of his desk.

"Alice, this came for you today."

Alice looked at him questioningly as
she took the envelope and a package. Bella watched as she opened it.
She pulled the letter out and unfolded it.

"Dear Miss Cullen, it is with a
heavy heart we report the death of Samuel Young. Private Young died
bravely in battle and as his primary contact you have received his
possessions."

Alice shakily tore the paper back and
ripped open the box. Inside was a small wallet insert filled with
pictures and the golden locket she had given to him just before he
left with his picture in it. Alice dropped the box and the letter and
shook her head.

"No, no this isn't...he
can't...daddy..."

"Alice..."

Alice shook her head and turned to run
but Bella was there. She trapped her daughter in her arms and Alice
clung to her. "Mom...mom it can't be real...tell me there was
some kind of mistake!"

"I'm so sorry baby," Bella
murmured hugging her tighter. Edward came up and put a gentle hand on
her shoulder.

"I just need to be alone for a
little while," Alice said rubbing her eyes. She left and Bella
heard her footsteps go up the stairs. Bella turned to look back at
her husband. Edward had sunk into his chair and was rubbing his
forehead with one hand.

"This was so different when it was
your sister. I cared about her but watching her cry didn't break me
down like this does."

Edward's phone rang and he sighed. He
picked it up and answered it as he was obligated to do. Bella turned
and walked out, leaving him to his business. She found Esme in the
kitchen making dinner. She looked up as Bella came in.

"What's up?"

"Sam died," Bella said
quietly. Esme put her hand to her mouth in shock.

"You're kidding!"

"Alice is up in her room right
now. Edward's dealing with business. Sam had no family so I'm sure
that's what he's dealing with."

"Alice and Anna will probably talk
it out,"

Just then Edward came in looking caught
between angry and sad. He hugged Bella from behind and kissed the
back of her head.

"What is it?" she asked.

"Business, I have to go,"
Edward said.

"Your daughter just found out that
her boyfriend is dead," Bella said coolly turning to face him,
"aren't you going to go up and comfort her instead?"

"She wanted to be left alone,"
Edward reminded her, "besides what could I possibly say to make
her feel better?"

"What indeed," Bella asked
smoothly before walking out. Edward gave Esme a pleading look and she
held up her hands. With a sigh Edward followed his wife into the
living room where she began unnecessary cleaning.

"Okay are you going to tell me
what I've done wrong or are we going to play the guessing game?"

Bella straitened the throw pillows and
picked up some of the toys that had been left on the floor. Edward
sighed and took them from her. He grabbed her shoulders and forced
her to look at him.

"Bella. Answer me."

"You'll be late."

Edward glared at her. When she wanted
to be, Bella Cullen was the most stubborn woman in the world. Edward
quickly debated if he had the energy to argue with her or if he
should just leave.

"I'll call you later," he
sighed.

"Of course you will," Bella
grumbled, pulling away from him and turning to leave.

"Okay now what was that supposed
to mean?"

"Nothing at all Lord Cullen now
go, your king awaits."

Edward winced at the frosty edge to his
wife's tone. But he wasn't in the mood to deal with her. He didn't
fully understand what she was upset about and was ready to blame her
mood on the recent news of Sam's death. After all the boy had been
like a son to her, having been friends with Alice since childhood and
a constant at their home. He was in so many of the pictures around
the house it was hard to believe he wasn't actually theirs.

But he knew it wasn't that. He knew it
was something he did that was making her so angry. He also knew that
if he stood waiting long enough she would burst. Sure enough after
she finished straitening the pictures on the mantle and organizing
everything she was about to burst.

Three, two, one, Edward mentally
counted.

"I am tired of sharing you with
him, okay."

Edward couldn't help but smirk at just
how predictable she was sometimes.

"You think this is funny?!"

"No, I think you're adorable when
you get riled up. Bella, love, what am I supposed to do? I promised
to serve Aro until he is done with me."

"I packed up the family and moved
out here for you," Bella reminded him, "we left the suburbs
because of your job so that we could see you more. So that the twins
could know their father. But you spend so much time with the king and
congress that it's more or less the same."

"Would you rather I be executed?
The bottom line is that I had no choice but to accept the position my
father left. It's only a stroke of luck that Aro didn't ship me off
to war! Bella you seem to forget that I murdered my father! According
to the law I should be dead or rotting in prison and we wouldn't have
the boys at all! I mean what can I say to make it better? The
situation sucks but what's done is done! You can't hate me for it!"

"I don't hate you," Bella
said quietly, "I'm just tired of being the little housewife that
you have to make time to see."

"Bella please be fair."

"And you'd rather be the little
widow raising four kids? If so Bella then let me know and I'll just
march right up to Aro and tell him to stuff it up his ass!"

"You're such an asshole Edward,"
Bella snapped, trying not to cry. She threw the pillow she had been
holding at him and left the room. Edward threw the pillow onto the
sofa and left the opposite way, grumbling.

---

"You're distracted," Aro said
airily as the congress took a break.

"Bella and I had a fight,"
Edward sighed folding his arms.

"May I ask what about?"

"Work. She thinks I spend too much
time away from the family."

"The life of a politician is never
easy," Aro sighed. Edward wanted to say something sarcastic back
but thought better of it. "Tell her that quite simply it's your
job."

"She knows that. It's just we had
different plans when Alice was born and things changed."

"What are you saying exactly?"
Aro asked, sensing a different meaning.

Edward shifted and thought. What was he
saying? He would be lying if he said he didn't enjoy his work. He
usually did. The debates were always exciting and it gave him a sense
of satisfaction knowing that he was making a difference. If not for
his presence in congress the laws protecting fatal abuse to humans
wouldn't have been put forth and half humans such as his eldest child
would be nonexistent.

But he had missed the birth of his
sons. He had actually missed the first two days of their lives
because of his work. He had missed Alice's graduation from high
school and almost all of Andi's violin concerts (before she dropped
the instrument completely). When Bella moved the family into the city
they had high hopes for change. But all it meant was he came home
more often. When it came down to it the move only gave them a few
more moments together.

He still loved her with his whole
heart, but he didn't know if she did.

---

"Mom? What's wrong?" Alice
asked. Bella was laying on her bed, curled up and miserable. She
looked up at her eldest and held her arms up. Alice came over and
snuggled up with her.

"Well it was a different time back
then," Bella said sitting up as well.

"Back when you were human?"

"Yes. I was your father's slave.
Literally."

"I never knew that," Alice
said, sounding interested. Bella nodded. She leaned against the
headboard of her bed and Alice cuddled up with her. Bella put her arm
around her eldest and Alice played with her fingers.

"Alice and I were probably about
sixteen or seventeen. When your father bought me he was an arrogant
spoiled brat. He used to go out of his way to make me mad so that I
would get flustered and yell at him. He used to tease me mercilessly.
But then his father got involved and things started changing. Edward
softened and we became friends. He had feelings for me and I returned
them but I was so stubborn. I didn't want to admit that I was falling
for a vampire."

Bella laughed at the memory of telling
Edward she would never love him.

"My sister had been falling in
love with Jasper, her master. They were so in love. When his father
found out he lashed out and ended up blinding Alice. But she and
Jasper were still in love and he went off to war."

"Where he died."

"Yes," Bella said sadly, "we
learned later that your grandfather had killed him because he wanted
to run away with my sister. By that time I was pregnant with you.
Alice made sure that I was well cared for and killed herself in
Jasper's room. We had lost everyone but each other by that point, we
had seen our father killed by human hunters, our mother had died only
recently. She lost her sight and then the man she loved. I think she
knew that sometime soon Edward and I would have to leave because if
his father learned about you..."

"Did grandfather ever learn about
me?" Alice asked. Bella nodded.

"He did," Bella said resting
her chin on Alice's head, "and he promptly tried to kill you and
it was the scariest moment of my life."

"I remember that," Alice said
quietly, "it's kind of fuzzy but I remember being in a lot of
pain and daddy was angry."

"Gotta love vampire memories,"
Bella laughed. "Do you remember when you were born?"

"I remember remembering. But I
know that's when you died and became a vampire."

"And they all lived happily ever
after," Bella concluded. She kissed each of the blonde heads and
hugged her boys tight against her side. "I love you two."

"Love you too mom," they
chorused. Bella got up and Jasper crawled out of his brother's bed
and into his own. Bella pulled Charlie's blankets up to his chin and
kissed his forehead.

"Goodnight baby," she
whispered smoothing his hair.

"Night mom," Charlie said
around a yawn. Bella smoothed his hair and went to Jasper. He reached
up and hugged her before letting her pull the blankets up.

"Goodnight honey," Bella
murmured as she smoothed his hair and kissed his forehead.

"Is dad home yet?" Jasper
asked groggily.

"Not yet baby."

"Okay," he sighed. Bella
kissed him on the forehead again and walked out, flipping the lights
off as she went.

She walked down the hall. She peeked
into Andi's room and saw her teenager sleeping. She silently walked
over and put a book mark between the pages of the book she was
reading and put it on the small table by the bed. She covered her and
left a kiss on her forehead. She left quietly and continued down the
hall. She heard Carlisle and Esme talking in their room and she heard
Cody's soft snores. In the last room she poked her head in to find
Alice asleep tucked under her covers. She was clutching an old
stuffed bear that Sam had won for her at a carnival and there were
tissues everywhere.

Bella jumped when she felt a hand on
her shoulder. She whirled around and saw Edward.

"She asleep?" he asked.

Bella nodded. She closed the door
silently and looked at her husband. She nodded her head, indicating
for them to move before beginning the inevitable argument.

"I didn't expect you," she
said when they reached the security of the first floor.

"I'm sorry Bella. For anything
I've done to upset you."

Bella sighed and sat on the sofa.
"Remember when Alice was a baby and you spent every available
moment you could with her?"

"I remember," Edward said,
sitting beside her. "I also remember how hard it was to be away
from her when I first took my father's place and how hard it still is
even now. Bella do you think I want to miss my children grow up? I
mean the twins hardly know me! But Bella I have no choice. I have to
serve the king."

"Edward I don't know how long I
can keep doing this," Bella said finally. "I can't keep
telling our boys that you'll be home late. I can't keep hoping that
I'm the only woman you love."

Edward was in shock. He looked at her
with his mouth hanging open quite unable to find something to say. He
reached over and touched Bella's cheek, making her look at him. "So
that's what this is about?" he asked quietly with a small smile,
"you think that there is someone else?"

"For as little as I see you
sometimes there could be."

"Bella you are completely absurd,"
he whispered before kissing her. He pushed onto her and she leaned
back against the cushions. It had been too long since they had spent
time together like this. He touched her neck as he kissed her and his
hand slipped down further. Bella wrapped her arms around his neck and
held him tight against her.

"I miss you so much."

"I miss you too," he
whispered against her cheek as he hugged her tight. "Bella I
love you more now than I ever have."

"If you are that's wonderful, if
not we have four beautiful children."

"I don't want to have another baby
that you'll miss," Bella said, slipping from under him. She sat
up and Edward shifted. "I don't have the energy to have another
baby alone. Carlisle and Esme have their own children to take care
of, and I still have the twins to think about."

Edward pulled her close and rubbed her
arm gently to try and soothe her. "We'll figure something out,"
he promised, "I love you Bella. I love our children and I miss
them very much."

Bella rested her head on his shoulder.
She was too tired to press the issue. She just wanted to enjoy his
company for the night.

---

It was raining. Alice was sitting in
the living room hugging her knees. It was family night. The one night
that Edward was promised off each week. They sat around playing Uno.
So far she was the only one (besides Andi) that was
unenthusiastically playing. Her turn came and she put down a red
seven. She managed a weak smile when Edward threw down a plus four
that was intended for Bella but she had her own plus four to match,
forcing Carlisle to draw eight. He grumbled as he did so while the
kids and Edward laughed.

Thunder clapped and the little kids
screamed. The game came to an end at that moment as the littles were
huddled up with their parents. Edward started to tell a story as he
lap was occupied by his sons. Anna put her arm around Alice and gave
her a squeeze.

"Are you okay pumpkin?"
Edward asked. Alice shook her head no but mentally told Edward to
continue with his story because it was making her feel a little
better. She tried to concentrate on the tale of the brave knight and
the beautiful princess but she was distracted. She kept thinking of
Sam and how he may have died. She buried her face in her knees and
tried not to cry.

"Then, as the knight drew closer
to the princess, the doors burst open and the evil wizard came into
the room with a booming laugh!"

Just then the door did open and the
boys screamed. The thunder clapped and they heard footsteps. Edward
tensed and everyone looked up. The lights flickered with another clap
of thunder and lightning and they saw someone. His hair was long and
deep black. His face was young but scarred and he wore a torn
uniform.

"Sam!" Alice cried. She
jumped up and ran to her soldier. She jumped into his arms and he was
happy to receive her. He held her tight and spun her around. Alice
wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. One hand threaded
into his long dark hair and kept him in place. When they broke the
kiss so she could breathe he cupped her cheeks and brushed her tears
away with his thumbs.

"I thought you were dead!"

"Nah," he laughed softly, "I
promised you I'd come home and when have I ever broken my promises?"

"Never," Alice admitted in a
breathy voice. She looked up at him and he smiled. "I thought
you had though. You're not allowed to scare me like that."

"I'm sorry," he said brushing
more of her tears away. He hugged her and rocked gently. Alice sobbed
against his wet chest and smiled.

Bella looked like she was about to cry
she was so happy. Edward had to keep the twins from running up and
hugging Sam and ruining their sister's happy reunion.

"I think your dad wants to kill me
now."

Alice laughed and nodded.

"Well you know the rules,"
Edward said with a smile, "nobody hurts my baby girl and gets
away with it."

"I'm sorry sir," he said with
a smile. Edward stood and gave the younger vampire a hug.

"I'm so happy you're safe,"
Edward said quietly.

Can
I ask her?

"Please do," Edward answered.

Sam turned to Alice and took her hands.
"Alice I love you and I told myself that if I made it back to
you I'd ask you this."

"Okay," Alice whispered. Sam
knelt down and looked up at her.

"Alice Caroline Cullen, will you
marry me?"

"I can't believe you had to ask!"
Alice sobbed practically falling into his arms. She hugged him tight
around the neck and he kissed her temple. "Yes, a thousand times
over."

Edward smiled and felt two arms around
his middle and smiled. He put his arm around Bella and hugged her
close. The boys were jumping around demanding all the war stories
from their soon to be brother-in-law. Carlisle looked over at Edward
and smiled with Esme in his arms. Anna was hugging her cousin and
accepting the request to be her maid of honor.

"I can't believe I'm going to have
to watch her get married," Edward murmured so only Bella could
hear, "I kinda hoped she never would."

"Oh Edward," Bella sighed.

Edward smiled and kissed her forehead.
He would have to watch his daughter get married. He had to admit to
himself, as he watched Sam and Alice play with the twins and Cody, at
least his baby girl picked a good one. The happiness in the air was
infectious. He looked over at Bella and met her eyes. She was as
happy as she could be. She hugged him tight and he knew that
everything was going to be okay. They would have their problems along
the way but in the end they loved each other. The daughter he had
killed for was alive and well and in the arms of the man she loved.
The children he adored were gathered around congratulating the
couple. Best of all his beautiful wife was by his side.

There she would stay.

He turned and whispered softly in her
ear, "I love you kitten."

TBC

I am so sad that this story is over but
really satisfied with it. I really wanted to give Alice the happy
ending her aunt didn't get. I also really prefer Bella and Edward to
have a few problems in their marriage because they felt a little too
perfect in the books. I like it when they have problems but are still
very in love with each other.

So anyway thanks for reading! I have a
few new ideas for some stories but I'm going to try to take a break
and focus on school and whatnot. Though I have been urged to keep
writing as a therapeutic escape. To which I replied...okie! I kinda
like writing if nobody has noticed :p We'll see what happens. But as
always thank you to everyone who has read and reviewed. Thanks
especially to those that have been with me since the first chapter
and with other stories as well. I know my stories can get a little
weird sometimes. I have an idea that is really out there and I don't
know if I should attempt it.

The author would like to thank you for your continued support. Your review has been posted.